Buy the Bernina. That 130 is a great 3/4 size machine, that will outlast the Janome. That said, and I own 3 Bernina's including a 145 which is the same machine as the 130 with an extra feature (the knee lift), ... I bought the Janome Magnolia for my daughter in law who needed a sewing machine but doesn't do much sewing, as the price was a deciding factor. It was more than $500 less than the Bernina. The Magnolia is a good machine, but if you have access to a reasonably priced Bernina 130 I'd jump at it.

I know it's a little late for this response but I thought I would answer this for others that may look on here and need info about this machine or any others. These were made around 2002-2003. A middle of the road price would be ok since they are old and don't have all the new features on them. One note of caution to anyone buying on Craigslist. Since you are usually looking locally please take someone with you that knows how to run a machine if you don't know. Take some thread, a swatch of fabric, a new #80 needle and scissors with you and TRY IT out before buying it. Wind a bobbin to make sure the bobbin winder works, go forward and backward to make sure the reverse button works, make a buttonhole to see how nice it stitches out, do a couple of decorative stitches (like the honeycomb) to see their quality. Listen to the machine, is it noisy or sound "off," check the top and bottom of the stitch, if you hear a popping sound on the fabric it's probably the needle is damaged, check everything before buying because once you give them the $$ it's yours!! Make sure you get a manual, power cord and the foot pedal. If any of these are missing take off $50. They are all replaceable for under $50. Try it out especially if the person selling it is NOT the owner and has no clue about it's ability to work. Hope this helps!

Hi Dawn. In both cases it was the computerboard, so neither can be repaired. My machine started refusing to sew forward, only backwards. After the repairman said it could not be fixed, I started fooling around with it. Now it only zigzags backwards in the widest width! My mom's machine just won't sew at all. The machine runs but nothing happens, like gunning the engine on a car when it's in neutral. The repairman examined both machines, said they both have the same computer problem so he can't rob one to repair the other. I still have both, just sitting there, gathering dust in a closet. I replaced them with a Singer Q series. For ease of use, it is nowhere near the machine the old ones were, but I can't afford a high end machine. My new machine sews well so far, and I still do a lot of sewing, so I guess I am satisfied with it. The repairman also sharpens scissors. He recently told me to "embrace your new machine. You are never going to find what you had unless you spend several thousand dollars, and maybe not even then. These Touch tronics were the best machines I ever worked on, and they lasted forever." So I am embracing! What is your machine doing...or NOT doing? I hope it is a simple problem. I will have to take a look at what is going on over at ebay.

A lot of the machines have speed controls today, not like the old machines where you stomped on the pedal and flew...you are right, it does get aggrivating. To find out more about the Activa 140, go to the Bernina.com website and look at the specs for the machine and what it has and can do. Ditto for any other machine makers We all have our preferences and voice them, but we won't be using your machine on a daily basis. If you are happy with the Bernina, try both machines out to see which one you like and feel most comfortable using. Try to get the dealer to throw in machine operation lessons and anything else free in the deal.